What Cigar are You Smoking? 2024

[danimalia]

'13 Montecarlos
View attachment 339186

When I was in Mexico City a while back I bought one of the Hoyo LCdH Exclusives, the big churchill/DC sized one for like $60. I also bought a PLMC for like $11. Wanna guess which one was the better smoke? I just keep praying the number crunchers at Habanos SA keep forgetting they're still make the PLMCs. Maybe there is one executive there that loves them and is keeping them protected!

 

[danimalia]

Mini Oliva for the ride home
View attachment 339780
Well this is embarrassing. I think I've learned a lot, and maybe I have.

But these little guys use the same band for G and O. So can I call, with confidence, if I'm smoking a Habano or Cameroon wrapper?

The answer is no. I'm pretty sure it was an O ( Habano)...

So there ya have it, dear forumites. I don't know squat

Cameroon usually has more of an off color, like greenish-gray if that helps. The Serie O is like a straight Colorado brown, IMO.

 

[BenMN]

Dapper La Madrina Corona Gorda

Pic homage to @Speak Easy


Habano, final answer

 

[Speak Easy]

Dapper La Madrina Corona Gorda

Pic homage to @Speak Easy

View attachment 339938
Habano, final answer

Perfectly done, sir!

 

[cshubhra]

Two cigar day today:

1. Post lunch : Acid Kuba Maduro
2. Now: Caldwell Cigars The King is Dead

 

[Speak Easy]

Smoked several of these now. Not too bad. Last third has been worth it.

 

[BenMN]

Cameroon usually has more of an off color, like greenish-gray if that helps. The Serie O is like a straight Colorado brown, IMO.

For sure. More texture on the Cameroon too

These minis are surprisingly similar in color appearance. Here is a known G and O.

Feel free to guess/call it as you see it. This goes for everyone here


I can see the difference here, but I am also starting with knowledge of which is which.
Anyway, yesterday it was kinda fun to attempt, by taste alone, to ID the wrapper. And to reflect on my uncertainty!

 

[pantsBoots]

When I was in Mexico City a while back I bought one of the Hoyo LCdH Exclusives, the big churchill/DC sized one for like $60. I also bought a PLMC for like $11. Wanna guess which one was the better smoke? I just keep praying the number crunchers at Habanos SA keep forgetting they're still make the PLMCs. Maybe there is one executive there that loves them and is keeping them protected!

They're immensely popular among the types of people who buy multiple boxes per year, but are less known at duty-frees, LCDH, and other touristy destinations. People at those locations are usually looking for the big name marcas or something rare. It's all a moot point because I wouldn't buy a box of Montecarlos for $300 or whatever they're going for these days. I was paying a quarter that just 7 short years ago, and they're also pretty thin on the ground.

With supply of Havanas being so low and the NC market absolutely on fire with talented blenders, I can smoke through what I have and be content smoking NC after the Havanas are all gone. The availability of quality cigar leaf is much better than what is happening with pipe tobacco.

 

[pantsBoots]

For sure. More texture on the Cameroon too

These minis are surprisingly similar in color appearance. Here is a known G and O.

Feel free to guess/call it as you see it. This goes for everyone here

View attachment 339956
I can see the difference here, but I am also starting with knowledge of which is which.
Anyway, yesterday it was kinda fun to attempt, by taste alone, to ID the wrapper. And to reflect on my uncertainty!

I wonder if it's African Cameroon or Cameroon grown in Ecuador, Honduras, or some other location. To me, I would guess the cigar on the left is Cameroon because it looks noticeably thinner, and instead of being toothy and textured, it looks kind of smooth and sort of beat up. It also doesn't have as much of a color. It has the look, but that's only if it's African Cameroon - I'm most familiar with that.

Euadoran and Honduran Cameroon can be thicker and more textured, so the above is not an absolute. I have some La Aurora Perferidos Platinums wrapped in Ecuadorian Cameroon and while similar to the African, it is also much different, being thicker, richer, and slightly peppery (although that could be the filler).

Your best bet would be to smoke the above and compare against a known Cameroon - African cameroon is very unique. Think Fuente's Don Carlos, Hemingway, or Gran Reserva lines. Cameroon has a "tang" to it (for lack of a better term), while Habano wrappers are much more variable - they are often nutty, but can be fruity or spicy and earthy as well. Depends who grew it and what they did to it.

Man, didn't have time for a cigar today, so I guess I just get to write about them in these posts. Happy smoking, all!

 

[pantsBoots]

I'm going to add to the above. I've been smoking Fuente Cameroons for going on 20 years (time flies). Over the years, I've noticed the wrapper getting more textured and less flat looking. Whether the genetics or processing changed in that time, I don't know. When Carlos Sr was alive, there was a time when all of their Cameroon came from the Meerapfel family whose operation was in Cameroon Africa. The lower quality leaf went to the Gran Reserva line, Don Carlos and Hemingway got the best. I don't know if they are still using the Meerapfel family's stock or if there is some other supplier.

I need a smoke.

 

[BenMN]

I wonder if it's African Cameroon or Cameroon grown in Ecuador, Honduras, or some other location. To me, I would guess the cigar on the left is Cameroon because it looks noticeably thinner, and instead of being toothy and textured, it looks kind of smooth and sort of beat up. It also doesn't have as much of a color. It has the look, but that's only if it's African Cameroon - I'm most familiar with that.

Euadoran and Honduran Cameroon can be thicker and more textured, so the above is not an absolute. I have some La Aurora Perferidos Platinums wrapped in Ecuadorian Cameroon and while similar to the African, it is also much different, being thicker, richer, and slightly peppery (although that could be the filler).

Your best bet would be to smoke the above and compare against a known Cameroon - African cameroon is very unique. Think Fuente's Don Carlos, Hemingway, or Gran Reserva lines. Cameroon has a "tang" to it (for lack of a better term), while Habano wrappers are much more variable - they are often nutty, but can be fruity or spicy and earthy as well. Depends who grew it and what they did to it.

Man, didn't have time for a cigar today, so I guess I just get to write about them in these posts. Happy smoking, all!

All this, yes

In particular I've noticed difficulty ascertaining growing region v. seed. Your point about Cameroonian (did I make this word up?) tobacco grown in Cameroon versus Ecuador or wherever illustrates this perfectly.

I was also going to ask about Fuente Cameroon being from the Country of Cameroon as I have been told. You answered before I could ask- thank you

I will tell you which mini is which but I'll do it tomorrow in case a few others want to guess

 

[danimalia]

I wonder if it's African Cameroon or Cameroon grown in Ecuador, Honduras, or some other location. To me, I would guess the cigar on the left is Cameroon because it looks noticeably thinner, and instead of being toothy and textured, it looks kind of smooth and sort of beat up. It also doesn't have as much of a color. It has the look, but that's only if it's African Cameroon - I'm most familiar with that.

Euadoran and Honduran Cameroon can be thicker and more textured, so the above is not an absolute. I have some La Aurora Perferidos Platinums wrapped in Ecuadorian Cameroon and while similar to the African, it is also much different, being thicker, richer, and slightly peppery (although that could be the filler).

Your best bet would be to smoke the above and compare against a known Cameroon - African cameroon is very unique. Think Fuente's Don Carlos, Hemingway, or Gran Reserva lines. Cameroon has a "tang" to it (for lack of a better term), while Habano wrappers are much more variable - they are often nutty, but can be fruity or spicy and earthy as well. Depends who grew it and what they did to it.

Man, didn't have time for a cigar today, so I guess I just get to write about them in these posts. Happy smoking, all!

Oliva still says it's African Cameroon, but they're also not always the most out front with their blends either. It's already happening with La Aurora (Ecuadorian Cameroon and quite enjoyable on the 5er I tried). Aladino and the Eiroas are growing it in Honduras, and the Aladino Cameroon is a good smoke. Fuente may keep the African out of tradition, and sheer buying power... I do wonder why you don't see more Cameroon used as binder and filler. I know it's expensive, but it's also delicate as shit and not particularly attractive... There has to be plenty that's not wrapper grade, but would make a component. Maybe cigarillos is where they go....

 

[danimalia]

Speaking of Cameroon leaf being used as a binder, AFJ Enclave Churchill with the last of my "Pink Champagne" Colombian coffee from Dark Horse.

 

[The Libertine]

Smoking a Drew's Estate Factory Smoke Connecticut wrapper and it far superior to their sweet cigar.

 

[cshubhra]

After so much discussion about tiny Oliva O, I realized I have chosen a big fat Oliva O

 

[Speak Easy]

All this, yes

In particular I've noticed difficulty ascertaining growing region v. seed. Your point about Cameroonian (did I make this word up?) tobacco grown in Cameroon versus Ecuador or wherever illustrates this perfectly.

I was also going to ask about Fuente Cameroon being from the Country of Cameroon as I have been told. You answered before I could ask- thank you

I will tell you which mini is which but I'll do it tomorrow in case a few others want to guess

I’d say the one on the left is the Cameroon as well.

 

[BenMN]

E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Stella

I've had these for 6 months, sampling occasionally, waiting for something...

They're alright. I guess I had such good experiences with Pledge, Historia, etc. that I was maybe wanting more from these

 

[BenMN]

After so much discussion about tiny Oliva O, I realized I have chosen a big fat Oliva O
View attachment 340085

Well played

 

[BenMN]

Without further ado

 

[Speak Easy]

Without further ado

View attachment 340098

I would have for sure grabbed the wrong one!